Wireless communications system and method

ABSTRACT

A system for communicating information facilitates wireless communication between electronic devices. The system includes a transceiver provided in a vehicle. The transceiver communicates with an electronic device located external to the transceiver using a Bluetooth communications standard.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/135,979, filed May 26, 1999; PCT Application No.PCT/US00/14692, filed May 26, 2000 (published in English pursuant to PCTArticle 21(2) as International Publication No. WO 00/72463 on Nov. 30,2000); and U.S. application Ser. No. 09/979,199, filed Nov. 20, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to wireless communications devices, andmore particularly to a wireless communications system and method whichfacilitates an automatic wireless connection and wireless communicationof voice and/or data information between various electronic componentssuch as notebook computers, cellular telephones, hand held computingdevices, pagers, audio devices, display terminals and other electronicsystems.

[0003] With the dramatically increasing popularity of various personalelectronic information and computing devices, there has been anincreasing need to conveniently integrate the operation, and morespecifically the transfer of information, between one or more of suchdevices. These electronic devices may include notebook computers,desktop computers, hand-held computing/organizer devices often termed“personal digital assistants” (“PDAs”), cellular phones, pagers, audiosystems, display devices, cordless headsets, digital cameras andvirtually any other electronic or electromechanical device that useselectronic information for its operation.

[0004] In many environments, such as within an automobile, it would behighly desirable to be able to communicate voice and/or data in wirelessfashion between various subsystems of the vehicle, such as an overheaddisplay subsystem of the vehicle, a cellular phone, notebook computer,PDA, pager or other personal electronic device which is carried on theperson of an individual. The ability to transfer information betweenvarious subsystems of the vehicle and the user's personal electronicdevices, in wireless fashion, would greatly increase the ease andconvenience of use of such personal devices when travelling in thevehicle.

[0005] Until the present, transferring information between one or moreof these devices has most often required that cabling be connectedbetween the devices. Usually the cabling is “application specific”,meaning that the cabling used to connect, for example, a notebookcomputer and a hand-held PDA, is specifically designed for only thesetwo components. Thus, the same communications cabling needed forconnecting two specific electronic components often can only be used toconnect those two components, and not to connect different combinationsof other electronic components. Thus, interconnecting differentcombinations of electronic devices for intercommunication is oftenpossible only with specific and often expensive cabling.

[0006] Communication between more than two electronic devices at onetime via cabling presents even greater difficulty. Usually some form ofhub or “T” connector, together with a mechanical switch and a suitableplurality of external cables is needed. Thus, the user often has verylimited flexibility in linking more than two electronic devices togetherfor communication.

[0007] In certain environments, such as within an automobile, it isoften impractical for the user to manually connect and disconnectcabling between two or more electronic devices, especially when theelectronic devices are portable devices which the user desires to carrywhen leaving the vehicle. Additionally, it would be extremelyimpractical to attempt to connect such personal electronic devices toexisting subsystems of a vehicle, such as an overhead display console,with physical cables that would be loose within the vehicle. Suchcabling could easily interfere with the driver's convenient operation ofthe various controls of the vehicle or with the comfort and convenienceof other passengers in the vehicle.

[0008] In some instances wireless communications, such as by infrared orradio frequency (ARF@) signals, have been used to permit communicationsand information sharing between two electronic devices. However,previously developed implementations of these methods of informationtransfer have suffered from significant drawbacks. For example, infrareddata transmission requires a “line of sight” between the communicatingsensors of the two devices. Such a line of sight is often not practicaland/or difficult to maintain in certain operating environments, such aswhile travelling in an automobile. This also constrains the use ofportable electronic devices to positions where the sensor on theportable device is in the line of sight of the other device with whichthe portable device is communicating.

[0009] Radio frequency data communication has traditionally beenhampered by the lack of a standard communications protocol for datatransfer which permits data to be transmitted between two or moreindependent electronic devices. A further limitation with RF datatransfer systems has been the lack of a low cost, low power RFtransceiver able to be inexpensively integrated with compact, portableelectronic devices such as notebook computers, cellular telephones,hand-held PDAs, pagers, etc., to enable convenient RF informationtransfer between two or more of such devices over short distances of upto, for example, about ten meters.

[0010] Still another limitation with traditional methods fortransmitting data between electronic devices has been the lack of an“automatic” or “unconscious” connection when the devices are inproximity with one another. By “automatic” or “unconscious” it is meantan immediate communications link which is established between two ormore electronic devices as soon as the devices are within a certainrange, for example, ten meters, of each other without any command beinginput to any of the devices by the user. This limitation has up untilthe present required the user to provide one or more commands to atleast one of the electronic devices to begin the process of transferringdata between the two devices.

[0011] In view of the foregoing, it would therefore be desirable toprovide a wireless communications system adapted for use in automotiveapplications to permit the wireless exchange of voice and/or databetween various portable electronic devices and various electronicsubsystems of a motor vehicle. Such a system would preferably include afirst electronic component which could be readily integrated with a widevariety of electronic devices such as notebook computers, pagers, PDAs,cellular phones, etc., and a second component which could easily beintegrated with various electronic subsystems of a motor vehicle such asan audio system, microphone, in-dash or overhead display system,on-board navigation system, etc. The first and second components wouldalso preferably be extremely compact, lightweight, have low powerrequirements, and would therefore be very easily integrated into thevarious portable electronic devices described above, as well as into thevarious electronic subsystems of the vehicle. The components wouldpreferably be able to automatically establish a wireless communicationslink as soon as the electronic device incorporating the first componentcomes into proximity with the vehicle, where the vehicle incorporatesthe second component. Such a system would completely obviate the needfor any external cables to be attached between the electronic device(s)and the subsystem(s) of the vehicle.

[0012] Another example of an application where such a system would behighly useful is in the manufacturing of an automobile. If pertinentinformation concerning one or more of the vehicle's components orelectronic subsystems could be quickly and automatically accessed andtransmitted, via a high speed wireless communications link, to anelectronic diagnostic/verification test system stationed along side anassembly line on which the vehicle is moving, then real timeverification tests could be performed on the various electronicsubsystems of the vehicle as it being manufactured. Such automaticallycreated wireless communications links would significantly enhance a widerange of other applications.

[0013] Furthermore, it would be highly desirable if such a wirelesscommunications system could be provided which does not add appreciablyto the overall costs of such portable electronic devices or to the costsof various electronic subsystems of the vehicle. Preferably, the systemwould provide a manner of transmission that also ensures very securewireless transmissions to limit the possibility of the devices beingsusceptible to electronic “eavesdropping” or the data being interceptedby other RF devices operating in the same frequency spectrum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention is directed broadly to a wirelesscommunications system and method for transmitting information betweentwo or more electronic devices. In one preferred embodiment a miniatureRF transceiver is integrated into each electronic device. The RFtransceivers are low power, short range transceivers that enable theexchange of voice and/or data information between the two devices. Thewireless communications link between the devices is establishedautomatically when the devices come within a predetermined proximity toeach other. Thus, information can be transmitted automatically from onedevice to the other without any action from an individual monitoring orpossessing one of the devices and without the user having to connect oneor more external cables between the devices.

[0015] In one preferred embodiment the present invention makes use ofthe Bluetooth communications standard for establishing a wirelesscommunications link between two devices, where each device is equippedwith a RF transceiver operating in accordance with the Bluetoothcommunications standard. This enables two or more devices to beconnected via high speed, wireless communications links to permit voiceand/or data information to be exchanged between the various devices. Thedevices communicate on the 2.4 GHz ISM frequency band and employencryption and authentication schemes, in addition to frequency hopping,to provide a high measure of security to the transmission of databetween the devices. Advantageously, the wireless communications link iscreated automatically as soon as the two devices come into proximitywith each other.

[0016] In each embodiment of the present invention, the RF transceiverseach comprise low power components providing a limited range of up toabout 100 meters. Each RF transceiver has a negligible powerconsumption, as compared with the device with which it is integrated.Each RF transceiver can automatically form ad hoc communications linkswith other RF transceivers passing within the predetermined transmissionrange.

[0017] The various preferred embodiments of the present invention enablevoice and/or data information to be transmitted between a wide varietyof devices without any command or intervention by the user. Thepreferred embodiments lend themselves especially well to applicationsinvolving the transfer of information between various portableelectronic devices and the various electronic subsystems of a motorvehicle. The preferred embodiments further enable the transfer ofinformation between a motor vehicle and other electronic systems outsideof the vehicle, which makes the present invention ideally suited toapplications involving assembly of the vehicle, assisting intransmitting diagnostic information to and from a vehicle, and a widevariety of other applications where it is desirable to transmitinformation to a user traveling in a motor vehicle.

[0018] The various preferred embodiments are also ideally suited toestablishing wireless communications links for a wide variety of otherhome, business, and commercial applications. A wide variety ofelectronic devices can thus be networked together for informationsharing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The various advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to one skilled in the art by reading the followingspecification and by referencing the following drawings in which:

[0020]FIG. 1 is a block diagram drawing of a wireless communicationssystem in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention being used to transfer information between an electronicdevice of the user and an audio system and a display system of a motorvehicle;

[0021]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the wireless communicationssystem of the present invention being used to perform vehiclediagnostics on a motor vehicle by creating a wireless communicationslink between a notebook computer running diagnostics software and avehicle interface circuit associated with a motor vehicle;

[0022]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the wireless communications system ofthe present invention being used in an assembly operation in whichinformation is transmitted from RF transceivers located in each vehicleto an assembly line monitoring system such that information needed forthe manufacture of each vehicle can be requested in advance andthereafter made ready as needed during assembly of the vehicle;

[0023]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the wireless communications systembeing used to create a high speed data link between a drive-throughrestaurant menu and the various electronic subsystems of the motorvehicle to enable information from the drive-through menu to bebroadcast and/or displayed by the vehicle's electronic subsystems;

[0024]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the wireless communications systembeing used in connection with a key fob to enable data to be transmittedfrom the key fob to a vehicle bus interface of a motor vehicle tocontrol various subsystems of the vehicle;

[0025]FIG. 5A is a block diagram of the major components of the key fobof FIG. 5;

[0026]FIG. 6 is a block diagram drawing illustrating a wirelesscommunications link created between a key fob carried by the user and awork PC to enable data files to be transmitted in wireless fashionbetween the PC and the key fob;

[0027]FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the key fob of FIGS. 5 and 5A beingused to transmit files in wireless fashion from the key fob to a homePC;

[0028]FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the present invention being used tocreate a wireless communications link between a cellular phone and aproprietary voice recording/playback system manufactured by the assigneeof the present application and presently used on motor vehicles;

[0029]FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the wireless communications systembeing used to create a wireless data link between a home PC linked tothe Internet and various electronic subsystems of a motor vehicle tothereby enable information from the Internet to be transmitted to thesubsystems of the vehicle automatically;

[0030]FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the wireless communications systemof the present invention being used to establish a wirelesscommunications link between a cellular phone and various electronicsubsystems of a motor vehicle after the cellular phone has linked with awireless service organization;

[0031]FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the wireless communications systemof the present invention being used to establish a wireless data linkbetween a cellular phone of a user and one or more subsystems of avehicle, where the cellular phone is linked with a wireless serviceorganization so that “push” services from an Internet service providercan be used to provide personalized traffic, weather or otherinformation automatically from the Internet to the user as the usertravels in the vehicle;

[0032]FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the wireless communications systemof the present invention being used to create a wireless data linkbetween a gas pump kiosk of a service station and the subsystems of avehicle, where the gas pump is linked to the Internet, such thatinformation from the Internet can be transmitted in wireless fashion toone or more electronic subsystems of the vehicle while the vehicle isparked near the gas pump;

[0033]FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the wireless communications systemof the present invention being used to create a wireless data link fordownloading map directions downloaded onto a home PC off of the Internetdirectly to one or more electronic subsystems of the vehicle while thevehicle is in close proximity to the home PC; and

[0034]FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the wireless communications systemof the present Invention being used to transmit corporate information ormessages from a wireless service organization to a fleet vehicle, wherethe information is provided over the Internet from a corporate computersystem, and such that the information can be provided via a wirelessdata link directly to the various subsystems of a fleet vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] Referring to FIG. 1, a wireless communications system 10 inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. The present invention is broadly directed to a wirelesscommunications system 10 in which at least one pair of RF transceivers10 a and 10 b are used to create a wireless communications link betweenat least two independent electronic devices. Each RF transceiver 10 aand 10 b operates in accordance with a suitable wireless communicationsprotocol or standard to enable wireless communications between thetransceivers 10 a and 10 b. The specific protocol or standard used alsopreferably enables the wireless communications link to be establishedautomatically when the two RF transceivers come into proximity with eachother. The specific protocol or standard may be the Bluetoothcommunications standard or the Shared Wireless Access Protocol-CordlessAccess (SWAP-CA) specification, or any other suitable wirelesscommunications specification that enables voice and/or data informationto be transmitted between the two RF transceivers 10 a and 10 b.

[0036] The Bluetooth communications standard was established forcreating small form factor, low-cost, short range RF links betweenmobile telephones, notebook computers, PDAs and other portableelectronic devices. It is the result of a joint effort between severalmajor commercial organizations to develop a RF communications standardfor creating secure, wireless communications links between portableelectronic devices such as cellular phones, PDAs, computers and otherelectronic devices. The Bluetooth communications standard is presentlyan “open” standard that enables short range, secure, RF transmission ofvoice and/or data information between such portable electronic devicesto thus eliminate the need for physical cables for interconnecting thedevices. Its implementation is based on a high performance, but lowcost, integrated RF transceiver chip set. The Bluetooth standard furtherprovides the potential for automatic and rapid “ad hoc” wirelessconnections when two or more devices equipped with RF transceiversoperating in accordance with the Bluetooth standard come into proximitywith each other.

[0037] The Bluetooth standard makes use of the free, universal 2.4 GHzIndustrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band and a frequency hoppingscheme using 1600 hops/second. Encryption and authentication are builtinto the Bluetooth standard along with an automatic “output poweradaption” feature that automatically reduces the output power of the RFtransceiver to only (and exactly) that amount of power which is neededto accomplish the data transmission.

[0038] The Bluetooth standard specifies a minimum RF receiversensitivity of −70 dBm and the nominal output power is specified as 0dBm (i.e., 1 mW), which eliminates the need for an off-chip poweramplifier. With a 0 dBm transmit power, the typical range for the RFtransceiver is up to about 10 meters. The range can be extended to about100 meters by augmenting the RF transceiver chip set with an externalpower amplifier to increase the transmit power to a maximum of 20 dBm.The maximum data transfer rate between two Bluetooth transceivers isslightly under 1 Mbits/sec. The data rate for a voice channel is 64kbits/sec (GSM-13 kbits/sec). A suitable RF transceiver for use with theBluetooth standard can be formed relatively inexpensively as a singleCMOS integrated chip. As such, the RF transceiver can be manufacturedsufficiently small such that it can be readily incorporated intovirtually all portable electronic devices without adding appreciably tothe size, cost, weight and power consumption of such devices. Additionalinformation on the Bluetooth standard can be obtained at URL addresswww.bluetooth.com.

[0039] Advantageously, the Bluetooth standard presently supportswireless communications networks termed “piconets” of between two toeight devices actively communicating with each other. Additional devicescan be “parked” and accessed as needed. Within a piconet, one of thedevices acts as the “master” device, which determines the frequencyhopping pattern, packet timing, and which coordinates transmissions tothe other “slave” devices. The slave devices can also be members of morethan one piconet at a time, thus forming an ad hoc arrangement ofmultiple piconets termed a “scatternet”. Thus, networked communicationof notebook computers, PDAs, mobile phones, and other devices areprovided for with the Bluetooth standard.

[0040] The SWAP-CA specification is another wireless communicationsstandard that potentially could be employed by the RF transceivers 10 aand 10 b. The SWAP-CA specification also is intended to use integratedtransceivers on a 2.4 GHz frequency hopping scheme for wirelesscommunications between various products and appliances used in homes.With this standard, the data transfer rate for information is 2Mbits/sec.

[0041] Accordingly, while the Bluetooth or SWAP-CA specifications may bereferenced throughout the discussion of the various preferredembodiments, the present invention should be understood as not beinglimited to the use of one or the other of these specifications, ornecessarily to any specific communications specification.

[0042] In FIG. 1, one RF transceiver 10 a is integrated into a firstelectronic device 12 while the other RF transceiver 10 b is disposedwithin a motor vehicle 14. The electronic device 12 may comprise anotebook computer, a hand-held PDA, a cellular phone, a pager, or anyother portable electronic component. The first RF transceiver 10 aincludes an antenna 16 for enabling two way communications with the RFtransceiver 10 a. Likewise, the second RF transceiver 10 b also includesits own antenna 18 for enabling two way communications. The vehicle 14typically includes an audio system 20 and a display system 22. Thedisplay system 22 may be mounted-in a dashboard or instrument panel, anoverhead console, a floor mounted console, a visor, a rear view mirroror at a wide variety of other locations inside the vehicle 14. Thedisplay 22 may comprise a small cathode ray tube (“CRT”), a liquidcrystal display (“LCD”) or various other forms of displays which areeasily visible in daytime as well as nighttime driving conditions.

[0043] Each of the RF transceivers 10 a and 10 b are preferably formedas integrated circuit components which have an extremely low powerconsumption relative to the device with which they are integrated.Accordingly, the RF transceivers 10 a and 10 b can be maintained in an“on” state even when the electronic device with which it is associatedis turned off. The RF transceivers 10 a and 10 b are further extremelycompact and relatively inexpensive such that the overall dimensions ofthe electronic device are not appreciably increased by the inclusion ofone of the transceivers 10 a or 10 b, and further such that the overallcost of the electronic device does not increase appreciably.

[0044] In FIG. 1, when the electronic device 12 comes into the vicinityof the vehicle 14, a high speed, automatic, wireless data link iscreated between the two RF transceivers 10 a and 10 b. The requiredproximity will vary depending upon the power output of each transceiver10 a and 10 b. For a 0 dBm (1 mW) power output, a transmission range ofup to about 10 meters is provided. Providing a suitable externalamplifier to increase the output power of each RF transceiver 10 a or 10b to a maximum of 20 dBm will increase the transmission range up toabout 100 meters. It will be appreciated, however, that with evengreater power amplifiers an even greater transmission range can beexpected. Currently, the Bluetooth standard identifies a 20 dIBm maximumpower output.

[0045] Once the wireless communications link is established between thetwo RF transceivers 10 a and 10 b, information from the electronicdevice 12 can be transmitted to transceiver 10 b and then output to thevehicle's audio system 20 and/or to the display system 22. Thus, theuser is not required to type in or otherwise give any commands to theelectronic device 12 before the wireless communications link isestablished. Once established, the communications link enablesinformation from the electronic device 12 to be automaticallytransmitted via RF transceiver 10 a to the receiving RF transceiver 10b. In this manner, a wide variety of useful information such as personalcalendars, e-mail messages, telephone directories, and virtually anyother form of text information can be displayed on the vehicle's displaysystem 22. If an external “text-to-speech” module is incorporated foroperation with the second RF transceiver 10 b, then text information canbe converted into audio before being transmitted to the vehicle's audiosystem 20 for playback. Thus, if the electronic device 12 comprises anotebook computer with a CD player, any information available on the CDcan potentially be converted to speech via the external text-to-speechmodule and the vehicle's audio system 20. Thus, a wide variety ofCD-based or Internet-based audio material such as books, educationalmaterials, etc. could be played over the vehicle's audio system 20 whilethe user is in the vehicle 14.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 2, another implementation of the wirelesscommunications system 10 of the present invention is shown. Thisimplementation is used to facilitate performing diagnostics on a motorvehicle 14 via the electronic device 12. In this example, the electronicdevice may comprise a notebook computer or other electronic instrumentloaded with diagnostic software specifically suited to the vehicle beingtested. The first RF transceiver 10 a is integrated into the electronicdevice 12 and the second RF transceiver 10 b is integrated forcommunications with a vehicle interface system 24. The vehicle interfacesystem 24 is in turn coupled for two way communications via a data bus26 with various electronic subsystems of the vehicle 14 such as thevehicle's Electronic Control Module (ECM) 28, a fuel sensor 30, anexhaust sensor 32, a wheel speed sensor 34 or virtually any other formof sensor which provides an electronic output signal related to itsoperation.

[0047] The wireless data link may be created automatically as soon asthe vehicle 14 enters a service bay or other designated service area.The first RF transceiver 10 a automatically begins transmittingdiagnostics information stored in an associated memory (not shown) tothe second RF transceiver 10 b to begin the diagnostics testing.Information is transmitted back to the first transceiver 10 a by thesecond transceiver 10 b as information is received from the vehicleinterface 24 from each of the sensors/components 28-34 under test. Thisinformation is then used by service personnel to determine theoperational status of each of the sensors/components 28-34 on-board thevehicle 14. While the electronic device 12 has been described as anotebook computer, it will also be appreciated that the device 12 couldjust as readily comprise a personal computer or other form of computeradapted to run the diagnostics software.

[0048] It will be appreciated that the automatic wireless communicationslink enables various diagnostics to be performed on a motor vehicle evenwhile other operations, for example, an oil change, are being performedsimultaneously with the running of the diagnostics. This implementationcan significantly reduce the manpower required to perform variousservice-related operations on a motor vehicle as well as decrease thelength of time needed to perform a full service checkup/tune-up on avehicle when the vehicle is brought in for routine maintenance such asoil changes, wheel alignments, air and fuel filter changes, wheelbalancing, etc.

[0049] Referring now to FIG. 3, an implementation of the wirelesscommunications system 10 is shown being used in the assembly process ofa motor vehicle. In this implementation, the first RF transceiver 10 aof the system 10 is integrated with an assembly line computer/monitoringsystem 36. Each one of a plurality of vehicles 14 _(l)-14 _(n),traveling on assembly line conveyor 38 includes a module 40 having thesecond RF transceiver 10 b integrated therewith. The module 40 can beprogrammed to include information regarding the specific options thatits associated vehicle 14 is to include. Such options could comprise thetype of interior, audio system options, interior trim package,powertrain options or any other equipment that will be needed tocomplete the manufacture of that particular vehicle 14.

[0050] As each vehicle 14 _(l)-14 _(n), moves along the assembly lineconveyor 38 into proximity with the computer/monitoring system 36, anautomatic wireless communications link is established between each RFtransceiver 10 b, one at a time, and the RF transceiver 10 a of thecomputer monitoring system 36. Information regarding the options thateach particular vehicle 14 _(l)-14 _(n), is then transmitted via thewireless communications link to the computer/monitoring system 36, whichin turn is transmitted over a communications link 42 to an inventorymanagement computer 44. It will be appreciated that the communicationslink 42 could be a wire-based link or could even be formed by anadditional pair of RF transceivers in accordance with the teachings ofthe present invention to form a second wireless link. The onlylimitation here would be the distance to the inventory computer system44 from the assembly/monitoring computer system 36.

[0051] The above-described implementation enables the wirelesscommunications system 10 to thus be used to synchronize the supply ofneeded equipment and materials to each vehicle 14 _(l)-14 _(n), movingon the assembly line conveyor 38 to ensure that exactly the properequipment is provided for each vehicle.

[0052] It will also be appreciated that the implementations described inconnection with FIGS. 2 and 3 could be combined to enable variouselectronic modules and subsystems of the vehicle to be testedimmediately as the vehicle moves along the assembly line conveyor 38.This feature would enable a vehicle diagnostics computer locatedadjacent to the assembly line conveyor 38 to run tests on the vehicle'smodules and electronic subsystems to detect defective components beforethe vehicle proceeds to the next step of the assembly process. Thisfeature would save the significant costs associated with manuallyremoving various electronic modules and components from the vehicle fortesting and repair when a defective component is detected after assemblyof the vehicle is complete.

[0053] Referring now to FIG. 4, yet another implementation of thewireless communications system 10 is illustrated. This implementation isin connection with a retail transaction in which a drive-through menuboard 46 has a first RF transceiver 10 a of the wireless communicationssystem 10, in addition to a secure transaction RF transceiver 48,integrated therewith. The vehicle includes the second RF transceiver 10b in addition to a secure transaction transceiver 50. As the vehicle 14approaches the drive-through menu board 46, the RF transceivers 10 a and10 b automatically establish a high-speed wireless communications link.A secure datalink is established between transceivers 48 and 50 by whichelectronic payment can be authorized by the driver of the vehicle 14.Menu information is then automatically downloaded over the high-speedcommunications link between the RF transceivers 10 a and 10 b onto asystem control device 50. The system control device 50 acts as aninterface to transmit the information to the vehicle's display system 22and/or the vehicle's audio system 20 for playback. If a suitablemicrophone 58 is provided in the vehicle 14, authorization for thetransaction may be provided verbally by the driver and transmitted viathe communications link between the secure transaction transceivers 48and 50 back to the drive-through menu board 46.

[0054] It will be appreciated that the above-described implementationcould be modified to enable drive-through banking transactions,drive-through prescription ordering-or a wide variety of other retailtransactions made from within a vehicle without the need for the driverto leave the vehicle 14 to effect the transaction. Other applicationscould include toll collecting, fuel purchases at service stations andother transactions that could potentially be made more conveniently andmore quickly by the use of the wireless communications system 10 of thepresent invention.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 5, an implementation involving a programmablekey fob 60 is illustrated for setting and adjusting various componentsof the vehicle 14. The key fob 60 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 5Aand includes the first RF transceiver 10 a of the wirelesscommunications system 10, the antenna 16, a suitable battery 62 forproviding power and a suitable memory 64. The second RF transceiver 10 bof the system 10 is integrated into the vehicle electronics tocommunicate with the vehicle bus interface 24 via the vehicle bus 26,and further with various modules 66-72 for controlling variouscomponents of the vehicle 14.

[0056] As the user approaches the vehicle 14 when carrying the key fob60, a high speed, wireless communications link is automaticallyestablished between the two RF transceivers 10 a and 10 b. Informationstored in the memory 64 of the key fob 60 is then transmitted to thesecond transceiver 10 b and used to control various modules of thevehicle 14 in accordance with preprogrammed settings by the user. Thus,information relating to the precise position of a power seat, volume andchannel information of the radio 72, climate control information for theHVAC 70, rearview mirror or external mirror position information, etc.,can all be stored in the memory 64 and automatically transmitted to thevehicle 14 as the user approaches the vehicle. The seats of the vehicle14, climate control settings, radio channel and volume settings, mirrorpositions, etc. can all be automatically adjusted by suitable vehicleelectronics even before the user enters the vehicle 14.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 6, another implementation of the wirelesscommunications system 10 using the programmable key fob 60 isillustrated. In this implementation the key fob 60 is used tointerrogate a PC 74 at the user's place of business. Selected filesstored on the hard drive or in random access memory (RAM) of the PC 74can be transmitted via a wireless communications link establishedbetween the RF transceiver 10 a of the key fob 60 and the second RFtransceiver 10 b, which is integrated with the work PC 74. Theinformation is stored in the memory of the key fob 60 before the userleaves his/her place of business.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 7, as the user arrives at his/her home, a homePC 76 is automatically linked with the key fob 60 by the RF transceiver10 a of the key fob 60 and a second RF transceiver 10 b integrated withthe home PC 76. The automatically created wireless communications linkis used to transmit information stored in the memory 64 (FIG. 5a) of thekey fob 60 to the individual's home PC 76.

[0059] Referring now to FIG. 8, yet another implementation of thewireless communications system 10 of the present invention is shown inwhich a cellular phone 78 is linked with a proprietary speechrecording/playback system 80 available commercially from the assignee ofthe present application and marketed under the trademark “Travelnote®”.The Travelnote® system enables the driver or other vehicle occupant tospeak directly into a microphone 82 to record any notes or otherinformation which the user would otherwise write down on paper, butwhich cannot be accomplished easily while driving the vehicle 14. Thenotes or other information can be played back from the Travelnote®recording/playback system 80 over a speaker 84 once the user reacheshis/her destination and prior to exiting the vehicle 14. The Travelnote®recording/playback system 80 is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No.5,810,420, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0060] In this implementation, the RF transceiver 10 a is integratedwith the cellular phone 78 and the second RF transceiver 10 b isintegrated with the Travelnote® recording/playback system 80. TheTravelnote® recording/playback system 80 may be located within a visoror rear view mirror 86. Alternatively, it may be located on thedashboard, overhead console, or any other convenient location within thevehicle 14. The wireless communications system 10 provides a high-speed,wireless communications link between the cellular phone 78 and theTravelnote recording/playback system 80 to enable “hands free” use ofthe cellular phone 78. Thus, the user need not hold the cellular phone78 in one hand while driving; the phone 78 can be placed on a console orseat 82 adjacent to the user while the user carries on a hands-freeconversation via the microphone 82 and speaker 84 of the Travelnote®playback/recording system 80.

[0061] A further advantage is that the wireless communications linkbetween the RF transceivers 10 a and 10 b is created automatically whenthe cellular phone 78 comes into proximity with the second RFtransceiver 10 b within the vehicle 14. Thus, the user need only dial anumber from the cellular phone 78 to place a call and the conversationthereafter can be conducted via the Travelnote® system 80.Alternatively, a call could even be placed via commands and numbersspoken into the microphone 82 and transmitted via the wirelesscommunications link to the cellular phone 78. Useful informationreceived by the cellular phone 78 could even be displayed on a smallportion of a rearview mirror. Such information could include auxiliaryphone annunciators, a “low battery” warning indicating a low batterypower condition for the cellular phone 78 or other incoming callinformation received via the phone 78.

[0062] A modification of this implementation involves modifying theabove-described Travelnote® system to send and/or receive digitalinformation such that the Travelnote® system can be used to pass digitalinformation to and from a computing device 79 such as a hand-heldcomputing device or a laptop computer. With this capability, theTravelnote® system could be used to transmit information received by afacsimile transmission or email communications to the computing device.This digital information would be first received by the user's cellularphone 78. Preferably, an infrared communications link 79 a is alsoestablished by suitable hardware between the cellular phone 78 and thecomputing device 79. The infrared link is used to transmit digitalinformation between the computing device 79 and the cellular phone 78.Preferably, an infrared link 79 b is also established between theTravelnote® system and the computing device 79 so that digitalinformation can just as easily be transmitted directly between thecomputing device 79 and the Travelnote® system. Messages sent to theTravelnote® system could be stored therein for future downloading toanother computer. The computing device 79 could also send stored phonenumbers stored to the Travelnote® system to simplify the dialing ofphone numbers.

[0063] As will be appreciated, other implementations of the presentinvention could be made in connection with a home and/or vehicle. Forexample, RF transceiver 10 a could be disposed in a cellular phone whileRF transceiver 10 b is disposed in a Homelink® system which isproprietary to the assignee of the present application. The Homelink®system can be programmed to interface with, for example, a garage dooropener to open the garage door when a control unit of the Homelink®system is actuated by a user. By incorporating RF transceiver 10 b intothe Homelink® system, the user could enter a predetermined code in thecellular phone which is received by the Homelink® system and whichcauses the Homelink® system to open the garage door. In this manner, ifan individual was not in his/her car own vehicle as he/she approachedtheir house, the garage door could still be easily opened without theuser having the garage door opener unit.

[0064] In another implementation, one or more RF transceivers 10 a areused in connection with various devices in a home. A second RFtransceiver 10 b is placed in a garage. The second transducer 10 bserves as a portal from the user's car to those devices in the home thatare equipped with RF transceivers 10 a. The garage-based RF transceiver10 b is able to interface and interact with those devices incorporatinga RF transceiver 10 a, such as a home PC, appliances, etc.

[0065] In still another implementation, one RF transceiver 10 a could belocated within a vehicle while a second RF transceiver 10 b could beassociated with a computer located either at a vehicle dealership or ata home. When a vehicle is manufactured, all parts could be tagged in theplant so it is known which specific parts are installed on the vehicle.This information could be stored in a database stored in a memory devicein the car. In addition, warranty information for those parts, as wellas for the car as a whole, could be stored in this database.

[0066] When the vehicle is in proximity to the first RF transceiver 10 awhile the vehicle is being serviced at a dealership, service personnelcould easily access information stored in the memory device via thewireless link between RF transceivers 10 a and 10 b. This would provideimmediate access to information on the various components of thevehicle, as well as warranty information.

[0067] In yet another implementation similar to that describedimmediately above, only the Vehicle Identification Number (“VIN”) isdelivered to the computer from the RF transceiver 10 b located in thevehicle. The VIN is then used by the computer to access a database whichis remote from the vehicle to obtain warranty and part information. Itwill be appreciated that this information could also be accessed througha web site of the manufacturer of the vehicle.

[0068] In still another variation of the above-described implementation,if a cellular telephone is located in the vehicle, and the telephone isequipped with an RF transceiver 10 b, then any vehicle malfunctionscould be reported to the vehicle manufacturer or dealer via a wirelesslink established between the computer and the cellular phone. Thisinformation can be used to facilitate repair of the vehicle or thetracking of warranty information pertaining to the vehicle.

[0069] The computer could also be used to personalize the vehicleoperation. For example, the vehicle owner could access a manufacturer'swebsite to select the desired operating parameters for the vehicle.These parameters could include selecting a 12 hour or 24 hour clock timedisplay, establishing station pre-selects for the vehicle radiooperation, selecting parameters related to the operation of the vehiclelights, enabling voice interactive messages generated by the vehicle, ora variety of other vehicle operating parameters. Once the operatingparameters are selected by the vehicle owner, the website could causethe owner's home computer (which is equipped with RF transceiver 10 a)to generate an RF signal that is sensed by the vehicle causing theparameters to be stored in a memory device in the vehicle.Alternatively, a compact disc could be provided to the vehicle ownerupon purchase of the vehicle, which can be used with the individual'shome computer to personalize the vehicle's functions. This informationcan then be transferred from the home computer to the vehicle via awireless link between the two RF transceivers 10 a and 10 b.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 9, another implementation of the wirelesscommunications system 10 is shown in which the system 10 includes thefirst RF transceiver 10 a in communication with a user interface circuit88. The user interface circuit 88 is in turn linked for communicationvia a suitable bus 90 with a display system 22 and/or an audio system 20of the vehicle 14. The second RF transceiver 10 b is integrated with ahome PC 92. The home PC 92 is linked to the Internet.

[0071] The user uses the home PC 92 to retrieve information from theInternet (e.g., audio books, news, weather, music, etc.) at a convenienttime. Once this information is received by the home PC 92 it istransmitted via the high-speed wireless communications link between thetwo RF transceivers 10 a and 10 b automatically. For this to occur, itwill be appreciated that the vehicle 14 will need to be parked in theproximate vicinity of the home PC 92 (i.e., within about 100 meters ofthe home PC 92). In this regard it will also be appreciated that asuitable amount of random access memory (RAM) is provided in associationwith the display 22 and/or the vehicle audio system 20 for storing theinformation. The user can then display or play back the informationwhile traveling in the vehicle 14 at the user's convenience. If the datais audio data, then it is played back through the vehicle audio system20. Even text information which is received may be converted to audioinformation if a suitable text-to-speech conversion circuit is provided.The information stored could comprise traffic information, dailycalendar reminders, appointments or events, e-mail messages, etc., inaddition to the book, news, weather and music information mentionedabove.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 10, the wireless communications system 10 canalso be used to enable information relating to various “points ofinterest” along a route being traveled by the user. This informationcould also be “personalized” information for the user from anInternet-based information service.

[0073] In this implementation, a cellular phone 98 is used by the userto make a connection with a wireless service organization 96. Thecellular phone 98 includes the first RF transceiver 10 a while thevehicle 14 includes the second RF transceiver 10 b. A Global PositioningSystem (“GPS”) device 100 on-board the vehicle 14 can be used totransmit latitude/longitude information to the cellular phone 98 overthe wireless communications link established between the two RFtransceivers 10 a and 10 b. The cellular phone 98 in turn can be used tolink this information back to the wireless service organization 96. Thewireless service organization 96 then transmits information on variouspoints of interest near the vehicle's latitude and longitude coordinatesback to the cellular phone 98, which in turn transmits this informationvia a wireless, high speed data link from its RF transceiver 10 a to theRF transceiver 10 b. The information is then displayed on the vehicle'sdisplay 22 and/or played over the vehicle's audio system 20. The pointof interest information can include a wide variety of useful informationsuch as restaurants, shopping, service stations, hospitals and otherestablishments in the vicinity of the vehicle. The information could bedisplayed in a menu format in which the user is able to selectestablishments and is provided with directions on the display system 22to each establishment selected. Additional information concerningtraffic conditions, road construction, etc., could also be provided.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 11, another implementation of the wirelesscommunications system 10 is illustrated where “Push” technology is usedto download information from the Internet automatically to the usertraveling in the vehicle 14. A cellular phone 98 having the first RFtransceiver 10 a of the wireless communications system 10 establishes anautomatic, high-speed wireless communications link with the second RFtransceiver 10 b located in the vehicle 14. The transceiver 10 b is incommunication with the vehicle's display system 22 and/or the vehicle'saudio system 20.

[0075] The wireless service organization 96 is linked to the Internetand to the cellular phone 98. The user can use his/her home PC 92 (oralternatively a business PC) to create a “personalized” website throughone of the presently available Internet-based news/search companies sothat various personalized information such as selected financialinformation (i.e., stock price information), world or local news,traffic information along a specified route of travel, phone directoryor personal calendar information, weather information, e-mail, etc., canbe downloaded by the wireless service organization 96 and provided tothe cellular phone 98. The RF transceivers 10 a and 10 b can then beused to transmit the information to the vehicle's display system 22 oraudio system 20.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 12, a variation of the implementation shown inFIG. 11 is illustrated in which existing Push technology is used todownload personalized information from an Internet based informationservice to a suitable electronic system located at or closely adjacentto a gasoline pump 100, or at a kiosk including the gasoline pump 100,when the users vehicle 14 comes within the vicinity of the gasoline pump100. In this implementation, the gasoline pump 100 includes theelectronic device 12 which includes the RF transceiver 10 b, and thevehicle 14 includes the RF transceiver 10 a. The RF transceiver 10 a isin communication with the vehicle's display 22 and/or audio system 20.When the vehicle 14 comes into reasonably close proximity (e.g., within10 meters of the gasoline pump 100), the RF transceiver 10 aautomatically establishes a high speed, wireless communications linkwith the RF transceiver 10 b of the electronic device 12. The RFtransceiver 10 a transmits appropriate identifying information to the RFtransceiver 10 b via the automatically established wirelesscommunications link. This information is then linked to theInternet-based information service. Information is then transmitted backto the electronic system 12 associated with the gasoline pump 100. Theinformation is then transmitted over the wireless communications link tothe RF transceiver 10 a located in the vehicle 14. It will beappreciated that this personalized information could also be obtainedfrom the Internet by establishing wireless communications links withelectronic devices located on road signs, freeway overpasses, at trafficlights and other points along a road or highway.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 13, another implementation of the presentinvention somewhat similar to that described in connection with FIG. 12is provided. The implementation of FIG. 13 enables the wirelesscommunications system 10 of the present invention to provide a subset ofmap information needed for assisting a user of the vehicle 14 intraveling to a designated destination. In this implementation one RFtransceiver 10 a is located in the vehicle 14 and the other RFtransceiver 10 b is integrated with a PC 92, which may be located at theuser's home or place of business. The user 14 can enter a command fromeither the PC 92 or from a suitable keyboard or control panel within thevehicle 14, or even from a cellular phone carried within the vehicle 14and linked by two RF transceivers in accordance with the presentinvention, requesting directions for traveling to a particulardestination. This request is transmitted to an Internet-basedinformation organization where it is thereafter downloaded onto the PC92. The information is then transmitted via the highspeed wirelesscommunications link created by the RF transceivers 10 a and 10 b back tothe vehicle 14 where it may be displayed on the vehicle's display 22 orpossibly played on the vehicle's audio system 20. Since only a limitedamount of information pertaining to the specific directions requested istransmitted back to the vehicle 14, this significantly reduces theamount of memory required to be located on-board the vehicle 14. It willbe appreciated that this map information could just as easily beprovided by linking to an electronic subsystem associated with thegasoline pump 100 (FIG. 12) or at some other location if the userbecomes lost and suddenly requires directions to a differentdestination.

[0078] Referring now to FIG. 14, another implementation of the wirelesscommunications system 10 is provided in which information from abusiness or a company is “pushed” into a company vehicle 14 from acorporate message center or corporate PC 102. The information from thecorporate message center or PC 102 is transmitted via the Internet tothe wireless service organization 96. A communications link isestablished between the wireless service organization 96 and the user'scellular phone 98. The cellular phone 98 includes one RF transceiver 10a of the apparatus of the present invention 10 and the vehicle 104includes the second RF transceiver 10 b. Again, the RF transceiver 10 bis in communication with the vehicle's display 22 and/or the vehicle'saudio system 20. Important business information received by thecellphone 98 can then be downloaded via the wireless communications linkcreated by the RF transceivers 10 a and 10 b to the user to apprise theuser of important corporate news, events, scheduling or otherinformation which needs to transmitted to the user on a timely basis.Again, this information could be relayed through suitable electronicrelaying devices provided at gasoline pumps or at other points such asintersections, freeway overpasses, etc. that the vehicle 14 is expectedto pass in proximity to during use.

[0079] It will be appreciated than that an extremely large variety ofuseful implementations of the wireless communications system 10 of thepresent invention may be created. While the Bluetooth communicationsstandard or the SWAP-CA standard may be used with the RF transceivers 10a and 10 b of the present invention, it will be appreciated that othercommunications specifications may also be employed. Additionally, whilemany of the implementations described herein have made use of a motorvehicle, it will be appreciated that the RF transceivers 10 a and 10 bcould just as easily be used to effect high-speed wirelesscommunications links between virtually any two electronic devices whichcome into proximity with one another, and where it would be useful totransfer information from one device to the other.

[0080] Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoingdescription that the broad teachings of the present invention can beimplemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention hasbeen described in connection with particular examples thereof, the truescope of the invention should not be so limited since othermodifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon astudy of the drawings and the present specification.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for communicating informationcomprising: a transceiver provided in a vehicle, the transceivercommunicating with a first electronic device located external to thetransceiver using a Bluetooth communication standard to transmitinformation between the transceiver and the first electronic device. 2.The system of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is integrated within asecond electronic device.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein thetransceiver is provided in at least one of a vehicle instrument panel,an overhead console, a floor mounted console, a visor, and a rear viewmirror.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first electronic device islocated outside the vehicle.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein thetransceiver communicates with a plurality of electronic devices using aBluetooth communication standard.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein thetransceiver communicates with the first electronic device and a secondelectronic device located external to the transceiver to communicateinformation between the first and second electronic devices.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first electronic device comprises avehicle subsystem.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the vehiclesubsystem comprises at least one of an audio system, a microphone, avideo display system, and an on-board navigation system.
 9. The systemof claim 1, wherein the first electronic device is selected from one ofa personal digital assistant, a pager, a cellular phone, an audiosystem, a display, a cordless headset, a digital camera, and a computer.10. The system of claim 1, wherein the information comprises at leastone of personal calendar information, an electronic mail message,telephone directory information, music information, vehicle diagnosticinformation, traffic information, appointment information, newsinformation, weather information, map information, and vehiclenavigation information.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein theinformation comprises voice signals.
 12. The system of claim 1, whereinthe transceiver automatically connects with the first electronic deviceas the transceiver and first electronic device approach each other. 13.The system of claim 1, wherein the transceiver comprises a CMOSintegrated chip.
 14. A system for enabling wireless informationtransfer, the system comprising: a first electronic device mounted in avehicle; and a second electronic device located external to the firstelectronic device; wherein the first and second electronic devices areconfigured to communicate information between the first and secondelectronic devices using a Bluetooth communications protocol.
 15. Thesystem of claim 14, wherein the first electronic device comprises atransceiver.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the first electronicdevice is mounted in at least one of a vehicle dashboard, an overheadconsole, a floor mounted console, a visor, and a rear view mirror. 17.The system of claim 14, wherein the second electronic device is coupledto at least a portion of the vehicle.
 18. The system of claim 17,wherein the second electronic device is selected from an audio system, amicrophone, a video display system, and an on-board navigation system.19. The system of claim 14, wherein the second electronic device islocated outside the vehicle.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein thesecond electronic device is selected from a personal digital assistant,a pager, a cellular phone, a display, a cordless headset, a digitalcamera, and a computer.
 21. The system of claim 14, wherein the firstelectronic device communicates with both the second electronic deviceand a third electronic device using a Bluetooth communications protocol.22. The system of claim 21, wherein the first electronic device acts tocommunicate information between the second and third devices.
 23. Thesystem of claim 21, wherein the second electronic device is locatedwithin the vehicle and the third electronic device is located outsidethe vehicle.
 24. The system of claim 21, wherein both the second deviceand the third device are provided within the vehicle.
 25. The system ofclaim 14, wherein the information comprises at least one of trafficinformation, weather information, map information, and vehiclenavigation information.
 26. The system of claim 14, wherein theinformation comprises at least one of personal calendar information, anelectronic mail message, and telephone directory information.
 27. Thesystem of claim 14, wherein the information comprises vehicle diagnosticinformation.
 28. The system of claim 14, wherein the informationcomprises voice signals.
 29. The system of claim 14, wherein the firstelectronic device automatically connects with the second electronicdevice as the first and second electronic devices are separated by adistance of less than approximately 100 meters.
 30. A system fortransferring information, the system comprising: a transceiver coupledto an automobile; and means for transferring information between thetransceiver and an electronic device external to the transceiver using aBluetooth communications protocol.
 31. The system of claim 30, whereinthe transceiver is mounted in at least one of a vehicle instrumentpanel, an overhead console, a floor mounted console, a visor, and a rearview mirror.
 32. The system of claim 30, wherein the information iswirelessly transferred between the transceiver and the electronicdevice.
 33. The system of claim 32, wherein the electronic devicecomprises at least one of an audio system, a microphone, a video displaysystem, and an on-board navigation system.
 34. The system of claim 30,wherein the electronic device is a personal digital assistant.
 35. Thesystem of claim 30, wherein the electronic device is a pager.
 36. Thesystem of claim 30, wherein the electronic device is a cellular phone.37. The system of claim 30, wherein the electronic device is a computer.38. The system of claim 30, wherein the transceiver communicates with aplurality of electronic devices using a Bluetooth communicationsprotocol.
 39. The system of claim 38, wherein at least one of theplurality of electronic devices is located outside the vehicle.
 40. Thesystem of claim 38, wherein the plurality of electronic devices areprovided within the vehicle.
 41. The system of claim 30, wherein theinformation comprises at least one of traffic information, weatherinformation, map information, and vehicle navigation information. 42.The system of claim 30, wherein the information comprises at least oneof personal calendar information, an electronic mail message, andtelephone directory information.
 43. The system of claim 30, wherein theinformation comprises vehicle diagnostic information.
 44. The system ofclaim 30, wherein the information comprises voice signals.
 45. Thesystem of claim 30, wherein the transceiver and the electronic deviceautomatically establish a communications link when the transceiver andthe electronic device are moved within a predetermined distance of eachother.
 46. The system of claim 45, wherein the predetermined distance isless than approximately 100 meters.
 47. The system of claim 45, whereinthe predetermined distance is less than approximately 10 meters.
 48. Amethod for communicating information comprising: communicatinginformation between a transceiver provided in a vehicle and anelectronic device located external to the transceiver using a Bluetoothcommunications standard.
 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the step ofcommunicating information occurs automatically when the transceiver andthe electronic device are moved within a predetermined distance fromeach other.
 50. The method of claim 49, wherein the predetermineddistance is less than approximately 100 meters.
 51. The method of claim48, wherein the step of communicating information comprises receivinginformation from a first electronic device at the transceiver andtransmitting the information from the transceiver to a second electronicdevice.
 52. The method of claim 51, wherein at least one of the firstand second electronic devices is located outside the vehicle.
 53. Themethod of claim 48, wherein the transceiver is mounted in at least oneof a vehicle dashboard, an overhead console, a floor mounted console, avisor, and a mirror.
 54. The method of claim 48, wherein the electronicdevice comprises at least one of an audio system, a microphone, a videosystem, and a navigation system.
 55. The method of claim 48, wherein theelectronic device is at least one of a personal digital assistant, apager, a cellular phone, and a computer.
 56. The method of claim 48,wherein the information comprises at least one of traffic information,weather information, map information, and vehicle navigationinformation.
 57. The method of claim 48, wherein the informationcomprises at least one of personal calendar information, an electronicmail message, and telephone directory information.
 58. The method ofclaim 48, wherein the information comprises voice signals.
 59. A methodfor wirelessly transferring information comprising: receiving electronicinformation at a first electronic device, the first electronic deviceincluding a first transceiver; and transmitting the electronicinformation from the first electronic device to a second electronicdevice, the second device including a second transceiver; wherein atleast one of the first and second electronic devices are within anautomobile, and wherein the information is transmitted from the firstelectronic device to the second electronic device using a Bluetoothcommunications protocol.
 60. The method of claim 59, wherein at leastone of the first and second electronic devices are coupled to at leastone of a vehicle instrument panel, an overhead console, a floor mountedconsole, a visor, and a mirror.
 61. The method of claim 59, wherein atleast one of the first and second electronic devices are located outsidethe vehicle.
 62. The method of claim 59, wherein at least one of thefirst and second transceivers comprise a CMOS integrated chip.
 63. Themethod of claim 59, wherein at least one of the first and secondelectronic devices comprises an audio system, a microphone, a videosystem, and a navigation system.
 64. The method of claim 59, wherein atleast one of the first and second electronic devices comprises apersonal digital assistant.
 65. The method of claim 59, wherein at leastone of the first and second electronic devices comprises a pager. 66.The method of claim 59, wherein at least one of the first and secondelectronic devices comprises a cellular phone.
 67. The method of claim59, wherein at least one of the first and second electronic devicescomprises a computer.
 68. The method of claim 58, wherein theinformation comprises at least one of personal calendar information, anelectronic mail message, and telephone directory information.
 69. Themethod of claim 58, wherein the information comprises at least one oftraffic information, weather information, map information, and vehiclenavigation information.
 70. The method of claim 58, wherein theinformation comprises at least one of menu information, bankinginformation, medical prescription information, vehicle toll information,and fuel purchase information.